Roosters rattle depleted Storm

The Sydney Roosters have secured a comfortable 32-12 win over an understrength Melbourne Storm outfit in front of 16,000 fans at AAMI Park this afternoon.

Missing key players, the Storm were never expected to give a challenge to a well-stocked Roosters side which has started to click in recent weeks, and the first half certainly went that way. The Roosters led 16-0 at halftime through a trio of tries, one to Minichiello inside the first ten minutes before his effort was backed up by Mitchell Pearce, then French import Remi Casty in the minutes before halftime.

The key talking point from the first half was Jared Waerea Hargreaves' high tackle on Bryan Norrie being put on report. Frank-Paul Nuuasuala and Norrie were sent to the sin-bin following the fight that ensued.

The visitors never really seemed to get out of second gear, although a fair assessment would suggest the Melbourne side were tenacious in defence despite the omission of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and a host of others. The Storm would be the first to score in the 2nd half, with Mahe Fonua making the pressure toll on his opposites by crashing over on the left edge.

That try caused the Roosters to lift a gear, and just minutes later Roger Tuivasa Sheck danced into the corner post and got the ball down just inside it to push the lead back to 14 points. Sonny Bill Williams added to the damage soon after to put the result seemingly beyond doubt, although a late Storm try to Kurt Mann did worry the Roosters briefly. Minichiello bagged his brace in the final minute to end with the reigning premiers 20 points clear of their 2012 predecessors.

The Storm will have concerns over Mitch Garbutt, who limped off with a leg injury in the first half, while the Roosters will be sweating on the verdict of the Match Review Committee following the JWH incident in the first half. Melbourne's next match is on Monday-week against the Gold Coast Titans at Robina, while the Roosters head home to host Newcastle on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.

AAMI Park the venue for this clash between the last two NRL premiers - 2013's Roosters and 2012's Storm. We have plenty of team changes for the hosts, strap yourselves in.
For the Storm, OUT are Cameron Munster and Junior Moors. Kurt Mann moves from centre to fullback, with Mahe Fonua coming into the centres as Mann's replacement. Both halves Harris and Roberts switch to the bench, Cam Smith and Ben Hampton will take those roles. Ryan Hinchcliffe fills Smith's vacant hooker spot while Kenneath Bromwich comes off the bench to start at lock. Thankfully, the Roosters are 1-17 with Willis Meehan dropping off a 5-man bench.

Both sides out on the park now - Roosters in the white away strip, Melbourne wearing their heritage jersey as it's Old Boys Day at AAMI Park.

GAME ON - Storm first use of the ball.

3: First penalty to the Storm, they attack from 20m out.

6: Penalty Roosters now, Storm not back ten. Roosters have their first attacking chance.

7: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS Scored by Anthony Minichiello. Kick to come.Minichiello scores in the corner as the Roosters execute a superb overlap. SBW stars in the leadup.

32: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.No trouble for Maloney this time from a much easier position.

34: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERSAnthony Minichiello makes an unforced error.Jennings with a scintillating break down the left edge, finds Pearce inside him and wraps around to get it back... then Minichiello spills the second Jennings pass straight running at the line. Storm scrum on their own 10m.

Halftime siren rings out at AAMI Park and we have the Roosters dominating despite a gallant Storm effort.

42: Positive start for the Storm, they push wide in their first set then kick long and wide before it trickles toward the sideline. Melbourne touch it though, knock on. Roosters scrum on their own 10m.

44: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERSMitchell Pearce makes an unforced error.Ahhhh, not good Pearce. Kick goes out on the full, Storm with it 40m from the Roosters line.

45: Storm's positive start continues here, they force a repeat set.

48: INJURY - Mitch Garbutt is coming off with a knee injury. Storm's injury crisis worsens. They have a penalty right now getting out of their own end after a Pearce break came to nothing for the Roosters.

49: TRY MELBOURNE STORM Scored by Mahe Fonua. Kick to come.Fonua scores for the Storm - finding the gap off a neat long ball by Ben Roberts.